bolster
- bolster
{{11}}
bolster (
n.)
O.E. bolster "
bolster, cushion, something stuffed so that it swells up," especially "
long, stuffed pillow," from
P.Gmc. *bolkhstraz (
Cf. O.N. bolstr,
Dan.,
Swed.,
Du. bolster,
Ger. polster), from
PIE *bhelgh- "
to swell" (see
BELLY (
Cf. belly)).
{{12}}bolster (v.) mid-15c. (implied in bolstered), "propped up, made to bulge" (originally of a woman's breasts), from BOLSTER (Cf. bolster) (n.). Figurative sense is from c.1500, on the notion of "to support with a bolster, prop up." Related: Bolstering.
Etymology dictionary.
2014.
:
Look at other dictionaries:
Bolster — Bol ster (b[=o]l st[ e]r; 110), n. [AS. bolster; akin to Icel. b[=o]lstr, Sw. & Dan. bolster, OHG. bolstar, polstar, G. polster; from the same root as E. bole stem, bowl hollow vessel. Cf. {Bulge}, {Poltroon}.] 1. A long pillow or cushion, used… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Bolster — Bol ster, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bolstered}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Bolstering}.] 1. To support with a bolster or pillow. S. Sharp. [1913 Webster] 2. To support, hold up, or maintain with difficulty or unusual effort; often with up. [1913 Webster] To… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
bolster — bol·ster / bōl stər/ vt: to use evidence usu. improperly to give weight to (evidence already introduced) Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. bolster … Law dictionary
bolster — [bōl′stər] n. [ME & OE, akin to ON bolstr, Ger polster; ult. < IE base * bhel , to swell: see BALL1] 1. a long, narrow cushion or pillow 2. a soft pad for easing pressure on any part of the body 3. any bolsterlike object or support; specif.,… … English World dictionary
Bolster — Bolster. См. Штамподержатель. (Источник: «Металлы и сплавы. Справочник.» Под редакцией Ю.П. Солнцева; НПО Профессионал , НПО Мир и семья ; Санкт Петербург, 2003 г.) … Словарь металлургических терминов
bolster up — index corroborate, reassure Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 … Law dictionary
bolster — vb prop, *support, sustain, buttress, brace Analogous words: *strengthen, reinforce, fortify: uphold, champion (see SUPPORT) … New Dictionary of Synonyms
bolster — [v] help aid, assist, bear up, boost, brace, buck up, bulwark, buoy, buttress, carry, cushion, help, hold up, maintain, pick up, pillow, prop, reinforce, shore up, stay, strengthen, support, sustain, uphold; concept 110 Ant. hinder, not support,… … New thesaurus
bolster — ► NOUN 1) a long, firm pillow. 2) a part in a tool, vehicle, or structure providing support or reducing friction. ► VERB ▪ support or strengthen. DERIVATIVES bolsterer noun. ORIGIN Old English … English terms dictionary
Bolster — A bolster (etymology: Middle English, derived from Old English, and before that the Germanic word bulgstraz ) is a long narrow pillow or cushion filled with cotton, down, or fibre. In western countries, it is usually placed at the head of bed and … Wikipedia
bolster — [[t]bo͟ʊlstə(r)[/t]] bolsters, bolstering, bolstered 1) VERB If you bolster something such as someone s confidence or courage, you increase it. [V n] Hopes of an early cut in interest rates bolstered confidence. [V n] ...a number of measures… … English dictionary
